Jan 9, 2009 12:33 pm US/Eastern
Indicted Councilwoman Removed From Tax Committee
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton and prominent developer Ronald H. Lipscomb were indicted Wednesday afternoon as part of a state prosecutor's nearly three-year investigation into City Hall corruption.
CBS
There's new fallout from the corruption investigation at Baltimore City Hall.
Mike Hellgren reports two powerful figures in Baltimore--Councilwoman Helen Holton and developer Ron Lipscomb--both face jail time.
Holton's been out of town at a conference on the Eastern Shore since the state prosecutor indicted her on bribery and perjury charges. But now, she's lost her position leading the powerful Taxation and Finance Committee.
Fellow councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke says this is out of Holton's character.
"Councilwoman Holton is, among other things, an ordained minister," said Clarke. "I think she will do well as the explanations come through."
The prosecutor accuses Holton of taking a bribe from prominent developer Ron Lipscomb, a former boyfriend of Mayor Sheila Dixon.
The prosecutor claims Holton got $12,500 for a political survey and billed it to Doracon, Lipscomb's company. At the same time, he says she voted to approve tax breaks for Lipscomb's projects in Harbor East and did not report those on required forms under oath leading to a perjury charge.
"When you've got a potential indictment, particularly of a public profile person, they're going to cross all their t's and dot all their i's before bringing it," said Byron Warnken, law professor.
The charging documents mince no words stating outright Lipscomb bribed Holton.
"Mr. Lipscomb is innocent and wants to tell everyone that, but we as his lawyers, have instructed him to defend himself at trial and not in the press," said Gerard Martin, Lipscomb's attorney.
Lipscomb's name had long been mentioned in connection with the investigation. The prosecutor filed court documents alleging he gave Mayor Dixon lavish gifts and trips in exchange for her votes on tax breaks, allegations the mayor strongly denies.
The mayor has never been charged with any crime and has declined comment on the charges facing Holton and Lipscomb.
"No, we're not going to be distracted. We haven't been distracted for months," said Clarke.
The grand jury expires Friday. There's no time limit on bringing additional charges.
It's unknown whether anyone else will be charged.
You can view the indictment by clicking here.
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